Leyte's Hidden Jewel: Kalanggaman Island!

Have you ever taken that trip which you really really like and you do everything just to get on that trip?

It happened to me here in Kalanggaman island, and I must say it's all worth it!

I actually learned about Kalanggaman island 3 days before my trip to Tacloban. I didn't know that there is such a place wherein the beach is almost at par with Boracay. Plus the fact that it is a virgin island excites me even more.

Some of the blog post that i've read narrated the challenges in going to Kalanggaman I'm  still decided to go to this place, no matter what the cost.

Yaman!

Since we've already toured the whole Tacloban and Jaro I think it's appropriate enough to visit other areas naman. And besides it's summer so I should be on the beaches right? And I should not missed this Leyte's hidden jewel =D.

The night before our trip, we fixed our things, cooked the food that we'll bring, and specified each other's responsibility. We we're all excited for this, so we sleep early to prepare for the long journey tomorrow.

We depart from Jaro at around 5AM and off we go to Tacloban. From there we got a van that ply Tacloban-Palompon (Php 150.00 fare). Unfortunately no matter how early you are the van must be filled up before it depart from the terminal. At around 7AM off we go to Palompom but not until we pick up my cousin's husband along the highway of Jaro (where he was waiting together with our things). Ang kulit lang ng plano namin!

Foggy Tacloban City Van terminal

In fairness malakas ang 3G sa tacloban, here floro is checking his FB on Ipad

It was a grueling 3 hours ride, which me and Floro slept the whole time. The trip is from East to West of Leyte the reason for the long ride.

Then when we arrive in Palompon, the news about the non-availability of boat greets us. "Sir ubos nap lahat ng bangka, all 4 of them".

Say whaaaattttt??!!?!!

It turns out if you want to go to Kalanggaman island, you need to reserve your boat ride 2-3 days before the said trip. Unfortunately, the girl that i've talked to via email from tourism officer in Tacloban told me that walk-in passengers are allowed in the pier.

I was so wrong, and so is that tourism officer!

I nearly collapse in shock but since we've come from Manila pa and endure the 3 hour ride I won't give up this trip without a fight.

I asked the tourism officer if he can find an accredited bangka that would take us to the island. Sensing my despair he did helped us find a bangka and luck of all luck he find one!

Yehey!!

Yun lang, the only catch is since we're the only passenger (all four of us) we have to pay for the whole bangka ride (round trip)

I agree. And off we go to the island!

My Seminarian Best Friend

My Cousin and her husband =D

The weather is jut perfect, to think that the day before it was cloudy and rainy in Tacloban!

Thank you Lord for the weather!

They say it's an hour trip from the shore to the island but actually it's just a 30 minute ride. And we we're all excited we saw the white sand bar from afar. 

Super excited actually!

Here we are!!!

And I must say it's worth all the effort and money! Wohoo!!

Ang init neh bro?

The part of the island that faces east is the area with white sand and calm waves, while the western side has the rock formation (and where the waves is stronger as well).

I was surprised to see a LOT of foreigners (mostly French) in the island. Turns out this place is near Malapascua island in Cebu (about 30 minutes ride) where the big resorts that caters to tourists are located. They made the island as a side trip of their stay in Malapascua. Nice!

The sand bar is long and so nice. It's much longer than the one in Bantayan island. But this one is much better.

Welcome pose!

Ang HOT ko!

View from the sand bar

Warning sign which is actually ignored by everybody =P

It's almost 12:00Noon when we arrived at the place, and no matter how hot it is me and Floro decided to eat quickly and swam on the beach ASAP!

Atat lang kami talaga!

Serenity

The rockies at the back of the island is a marine sanctuary, it is actually the best place to snorkel. Some of the foreign tourist who was in the island did their snorkeling here (see their boat from afar). Since we're not in the mood to snorkel (wala kaming snorkeling gear) we just had our photo-op here nalang =D.

The rocks are so slippery! Almost slipped twice while taking this shot!

Summer fruits??! Saw the same fruits in Calaguas Island last year!

Before the trip, I was contemplating to buy fins and lifevest or not. But since 1). I don't know how to swim 2) I'll be frequently visiting the beaches here in the philippines I just decided to buy both. Yikes! Gastos!!! But it's all worth it. At least now I can swim together with Floro without thinking if I'll ever get drowned or not. LoL!!!

Ang bigat ng Fins ha!

Kalanggaman Island Map

We swam and swam till we we're exhausted. By 4PM I surrender with the swimming activity. Photo-ops nalang!

Little Girl looking for crabs and shrimps

I must admit, the place is really awesome, I commend the people and government of Palompon for keeping the place clean and not commercialized. They should keep it that way. 

Before we leave the place, the governor of Leyte just arrived, no wonder there was a banquet prepared on this part of the island. Soshal!!

I'm sure this is not the last time I'l be setting foot in Kalanggaman, as the General had said: "I shall return". 

Thank you Leyte for the wonderful vacation! You truly are one of the hidden jewel of the Philippines!

Loving Leyte (Tacloban, Jaro and Palo)

It was an impromptu trip, me and floro we're discussing where are we spending his first day of vacation from the seminary. Many province was considered in our choices, even HK and Singapore was considered but eventually we decided to have our vacation in my home province.

And my mother was like, "Anong gagawin ninyo dun??" (what will you do there??)

And I was like, "Uhmmm I'll check the koprahan and will drink buko juice".

Lame excuse I know but I still insist on going to Leyte.

To make the long story short, I bought the tickets, Mom asked our relatives to assist me in our Leyte tour, and bought fins and lifevest for Kalamangan Island trip (which will be posted soon).

We got the earliest morning flight and my cousin and her husband are already in the airport, and after an hour of travel from Tacloban to Jaro (our hometown) i said to myself "Wow, this is the REAL province vacation experience!"

Floro was much excited as I am.

After arriving at my cousin's house and ate breakfast, we we're off to our barrio Ilawod where the koprahan is.

It was a long walk from the main road and the path is muddy, grassy and full of ferns. 

Yes ferns, parang Cristy Ferns-nin.

(insert corny joke here).

"Road to Ilawod"

The barrio is situated in the depth of the forest in Jaro, where Coconut trees are abundant and the soil is fertile. Swerte namin!

Floro resting before the photo-op

Hello Coconuts!

Father told me that there are 100+ coconut trees in the koprahan, but not all of them bear fruit altogether, and with summer season + insect infestation there are low turn out for the coconuts last first quarter =(. 

Di bale bawi nalang kami sa susunod na harvest =P.

At shempre, hindi mawawala ang kulitan portion sa picture..Here's our version of coconut pose :P

Sige na ikaw na ang best in pose bro!

After all the walking and posing of course we we're thirsty and hungry and what else should we eat......shempre coconut!

I did mentioned earlier that the place is muddy because it just rained the day before our arrival, which resulted to countless times I slipped while walking (and floro as well). This is the exact place where we both slipped while walking! Waaaa!

After our ocular inspection at the koprahan, we we're off to Palo to meet the General. 

Tacloban-Carigara mini bus (Php 45) 

From Jaro it's a 1 hour drive to Palo either by Bus, mini-bus, van or jeep. All of these transportation are available in our town but in limited time only. You'll know you're in Palo when you noticed many government buildings in one area. Almost all of these agencies are located here in Palo =)

From the main highway you have to take a ride via tricycle or pedicab (20 Php each) to get on the park, or puede rin maglakad. But we opted to ride with the pedicab, ang saya kaya sumakay! 

Happy riders! LoL!

ayaw nang bumaba ng pasahero

Cousin and pamangkin

After 10 minutes of gruelling pedicab ride (hirap yung driver kasi ang lalaki ng katawan ng pasahero nia) we finally arrived at the park! 

Yehey! Hello General!

I remember my grandmother before and she loves sharing her story during the war. She told me that during the late stage of WW2 they live practically everyday in the rice fields just to avoid the japs and they are also afraid with the "makapili". She had this hymn about them that goes like this "makapili turo, makapili tago!". She always sayit even until her death actually, maybe because she was traumatized deeply by the war.

The park has a well manicured lawn and clean bleachers. Perfect place to have sa 'date" with your special someone kasi maganda yung back portion of the park.

There's a small portion in the park which is dedicated for the 50th anniversary of the general's landing. 

Floro checking out the monument.

 From Palo we headed right straight to Tacloban City (20 minute jeepney ride). Sabi ni Mother there's nothing much to see in the city but the place had grown rapidly since the last time we we're there (2005 pa ata yun!). We first visited the Sto Nino church which is located near the city hall. I read in some article that this church was used as a hospital during the liberation of Leyte by the Americans. Well actually most of the church here in the Philippines was either a refugee camp or hospital during the war. The house of the lord serves as double purpose to his people. Very nice!

Walking past by the church, you'll see another park along the bay but this time it has an amphitheater. Coolness!

 

Park along the bay. Sila na!

City hall is right across the amphitheater. at nasa tuktok sha ng maliit na hill.

And the park didn't end there, another park can be found at the back of the city hall, it's a japanese themed park to commemorate the friendship between Japan and Philippines.

 

Commemoration to mark the two countries friendship

Awwwwww!

Our Lady of Madonna

And to end the trip we finally arrived at the Provincial Capitol building, which used to be the capitol building of the Commonwealth when the General arrived together with President Osmena. Very very nice!

Lady Justice after dark

See, im not joking! LoL!

Serene park

After the mini city tour me and Floro was very very tired! I have a feeling na we've burned 1000+ calories in walking around the capitol and park! Good job for us! 


On my next post, I'll tell you what the hell im wearing a life vest on a store. 


Next post: Adventure sa Kalangaman Islad (the hidden jewel of Leyte). Abangan!